Time to Eclipse the Sun: Grizz vs. Suns Preview

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Carmen Patton

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The Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns have faced off three times this season already. The Suns lead the series 2-1. Yes, the Phoenix Suns (19-50) have beaten the Memphis Grizzlies (40-30) twice this season. Despite the Suns record, they’ve proven to a formidable opponent for the Grizzlies in all three match-ups this season. The one game that the Grizzlies did win was won in the final seconds by a Jeff Green alley-oop dunk. Here’s how the teams have looked head to head in the first 3 games against each other.

Head to Head Averages 2015-2016: Grizz vs. Suns

Field Goals: The Suns (37/78) lead this battle connecting on an average of 47% of their shots, while the Grizzlies (33/83) have connected on an average of 40% of theirs. The Suns have averaged 104 points to the Grizzlies average of 100 points.

Rebounds: The Suns have averaged 50 rebounds (12 offensive) to the Grizzlies average of 39 (11 offensive).

Turnovers: The Grizzlies have managed to take care of the ball better than the Suns averaging 10 turnovers to the 17 turnovers of the Suns.

Three Point Shots: The Grizzlies and Suns are pretty even here in accuracy, but the Suns average more shots taken. Grizzlies have shot an average of 37% from the three point line against the Suns (7/19), and the Suns an average of 36% (11/30).

Free Throws: The Grizzlies have led here in accuracy and shots attempted. They’ve averaged 33 free throw attempts, connecting on an average of 27 (81%). The Suns averaged 27 attempts in the 3 games, connecting on 20 (73%).

Assists: The Suns averaged 21 assists to the Grizzlies 18.

Steals: The Grizzlies have averaged 8 steals, compared to the Suns average of 5.

Blocks: The two teams have been even here averaging 4 blocks each.

Points in the Paint: The Grizzlies have led with 43 points in the paint compared to the Suns average of 38.

Fast Break Points: The Suns have led with an average of 18 fast break points compared to the Grizzlies 13 fast break points.

Bench Points: The Grizzlies bench has averaged 45 points to the Suns’ bench average of 31 points in the first 3 games.

How Do the Grizzlies Win Tonight?

The Grizzlies are still shorthanded. So, winning tonight will have to be a team effort. Every man has to be defensively aggressive. The Grizzlies will need to be aggressive and force turnovers when they can, and make their shots on the fast break. They’ve got to be diligent about going for offensive and defensive rebounds, and blocking shots when they can. They cannot allow the Suns to perform above their season averages like they have in the other 3 match-ups.

They have to be committed to offense. The Grizzlies can ill afford to be careless with the ball tonight. There’s no room for lazy or errant passes. They’ve got to make shots: in the paint, mid-range, beyond the arc, free throws. They’ve got to make shots, and they’ve got to make them for 48 full minutes.

They have to play with confidence. They need to play like the Suns owe them something. As they head into their last 12 games, the Grizzlies can’t afford to keep dropping games to teams they should beat. They’ve already let the Suns have two of those games. Every game right now counts as they push for the playoffs so that they can stay in the 5^th spot.

The Grizzlies are on the road again. Their first stop is tonight against the Suns. It will be a 9 p.m. tip. So, take your naps and get your coffee pots brewing so you can stay up and cheer the home team to victory. Go Grizz!!